Centrifugal projecting machine

ABSTRACT

A centrifugally projecting apparatus is provided to allow a liner to be easily exchanged, to prevent projecting members from projecting through the connected parts of the liner components, and to prevent an impeller cover from being abraded. The apparatus comprises bolts  36, 36   a  and a fixing member (hook members  24, 24 ) to press first and second-side liner components  31, 31 A, front and rear-side liner components  34, 34 A, and a frame-liner component  37  against a ceiling-side liner component  39  so that they are fixed to each other.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a centrifugal apparatus forprojecting shots for a shot blast machine. Particularly, it relates to amechanism to prevent a cover for an impeller from being abraded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventionally, liners are put on the inner side of a cover foran impellers so that they surround the impeller of a centrifugalapparatus for projecting shots for a shot blast machine to prevent thecover from being abraded. Also, the liners are divided into pieces andused for front and rear sides, right and left sides, and an upper side.These sides are named based on the direction that the impeller rotates.The pieces are also divided into small pieces. Thus there is a problemin that there are too many pieces. Japanese Utility Model No. 2506549discloses an improvement of the liners that are located at the front andrear sides. The liners are formed as U-shaped rain gutters as viewedfrom their cross-sections, so that the number of pieces may bedecreased.

[0003] When any piece of the liners is abraded, a new one replaces it.The pieces of liners are engaged by screws to the cover for an impeller.When they are replaced, those screws must be unscrewed to remove thepieces from the cover. Then, new ones replace those pieces. Thesereplacements are troublesome.

[0004] Because the pieces of the liners are screwed to the cover, thepieces tend not to closely contact the cover. Thus, those connectionsare easily abraded by shots. Thus, projecting members (shots) areprojected out of the connections. Thus, the cover is also abraded.

[0005] This invention has been conceived to overcome the problemsreferred to above. The object of this invention is to provide acentrifugal apparatus for projecting shots wherein liners that have beenabraded can be easily replaced by new ones,, and wherein shots areprevented from being projected through the connection between the piecesand the cover, so that the cover can be definitely prevented from beingabraded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Thus, the object is achieved by the centrifugal apparatus forprojecting shots of this invention. The apparatus comprises an impeller,a cover for the impeller surrounding it, and a liner that is locatedwithin the cover. The cover is comprised of first and second-side covercomponents located at right and left sides, front and rear covercomponents, and a ceiling cover component that can be opened and closed.The liner can be screwed to the cover, so that it can be disengaged fromit. The liner is comprised of first- and second-side liner componentseach having an opening through which the rotating shaft of the impellercan pass, front- and rear-side liner components that are U-shaped andthat are pressed against the ends of the first- and second-side linercomponents and fixed on them, and liner components that are pressedagainst the upper ends of the first- and second-side liner componentsand the front- and rear-side liner components and fixed on them.

[0007] Another concept of the centrifugal apparatus for projecting shotsof this invention includes an impeller in which a hub, impeller-sideplates, impeller blades, and a distributor are rotatably located on arotating shaft, an impeller cover surrounding the impeller, and a liner.The impeller cover is comprised of first and second cover componentslocated at right and left sides, front and rear cover components, and aceiling cover component that can be opened and closed. The linercomponents can be screwed to the impeller cover, so that it can bedisengaged from it.

[0008] The liner components are comprised of first- and second-sideliner components having openings through which the rotating shaft of theimpeller can pass, front and rear side liner components that areU-shaped and that are pressed against the ends of the first andsecond-side liner components and fixed on them, a frame-liner componentthat is engaged with the upper ends of the first- and second-side linercomponents and the front- and rear-side liner components, and aceiling-side liner component that can be engaged with and disengagedfrom the frame-liner component. A labyrinthine structure is located atthe connecting surfaces between the ceiling-side liner component and thefirst- and second-side liner components. The labyrinthine structure hasfour portions bent along the direction of the projection of theprojecting members. The ceiling-side liner can be pressed against theimpeller cover by a fixing member located on the impeller cover, andfixed on it.

[0009] A further concept of the centrifugal apparatus for projectingshots of this invention includes a protecting member for an impellercover. The protecting member includes the impeller cover surrounding thefront, rear, left, right, and ceiling sides of an impeller, first- andsecond-side liner components to protect the left and right sides of theimpeller cover, front- and rear-side liner components to protect thefront and rear sides of the impeller cover, a ceiling-side linercomponent to protect the ceiling side of the impeller cover, and aframe-liner component. The impeller cover comprises first- andsecond-side cover components having openings at the left and rightsides, plate-like front and rear-side cover components at the front andrear sides, and a ceiling-side cover component that can be opened andclosed at the upper side. The impeller cover is generally formed as abox shaped as a trapezoid. The first- and second-side liner componentsare generally shaped like trapezoids and have openings at the centerthrough which the first- and second-side plates pass. The first- andsecond-side liner components are fixed on the impeller cover by screws.The front and rear-side liner components are formed as rain gutters thatare U-shaped and inclined. The front- and rear-side liner components arepressed against and fixed on the right- and left ends of the first- andsecond-side liner components by bolts that are passed through the frontand rear plates of the impeller cover. A labyrinthine structure islocated at the connecting surfaces between the ceiling-side linercomponent and the first and second-side liner components. Thelabyrinthine structure comprises four portions bent in the direction ofthe projection of shots. The frame-liner component is shaped as a loopthat comprises a vertical plate to define an opening so that the upperends of the liner components that are engaged, pressed, and fixed withinthe impeller cover may pass through the opening. The frame-linercomponent is engaged with these upper ends. The ceiling-side linercomponent has a looped-projection formed along its periphery on itslower surface. The looped-projection is inserted into a U-shaped grooveformed by the upper ends of the side-liner components and the verticalplates of the frame-liner component. The ceiling-side liner component ispressed down by a fixing member that is located on the impeller coverand fixed on the frame-liner component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional and vertical view of an embodiment ofthe centrifugal projecting apparatus of this invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a view along the arrow A-A of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a view along the arrow B-B of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a view of a broken liner.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Based on FIGS. 1-4 an embodiment of this invention is nowexplained. FIG. 1 shows a centrifugal apparatus for projecting shots. Italso shows a plate 1 of a cabinet that has an opening. A plate 2 has anopening. The plate 2 is located on the plate 1 such that these openingscoincide with each other. A bearing 3 is fixed on the upper surface ofthe base 2. The bearing 3 holds a rotating shaft. An impeller R is fixedby a hub 4 to the end of the rotating shaft, and faces the openings.

[0015] Based on FIG. 1 the impeller R is now explained. A first-sideimpeller plate 5 is fixed on the front side of the hub 4. The first-sideimpeller plate 5 is connected to a second-side impeller plate 5A by astay bolt so that spacing is formed between them. Many impeller blades6, 6 are radially located between the first- and second-side impellerplates 5, 5A and are engaged with and fixed on them. A distributor 7 isfixed on the first-side impeller plate 5 within the bases of theimpeller blades 6, 6. A control gage 8 is arranged on the outer surfaceof the distributor 7. The control gage is inserted into the opening ofthe second-side cover component 21A and fixed on it. An opening of anozzle 10 is connected to the control gage 8. The nozzle 10 is fixed onthe impeller cover 20 by a cramping member 11, as explained below.

[0016] Next, based on FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 the impeller cover 20 isexplained. It is formed as a box shaped as a trapezoid. The bottom of itis open and arranged in line with the opening of the base 2, so that theimpeller cover 20 can cover the impeller R.

[0017] The front and rear side parts of the impeller cover 20 are thefront- and rear-side cover components 20A, 20A (FIGS. 2 and 3). At theright side of the impeller cover 20, the first-side cover component 21is located (FIG. 1). The first-side cover component 21 has an openinginto which the bearing 3 is inserted, so that the outer surface of thebearing is engaged with the first-side cover component 21. At the leftside of the impeller cover 20, the second-side cover component 21A islocated (FIG. 1). The second-side cover component 21A has an openinginto which the control gage 8 is inserted, so that the outer surface ofthe control gage 8 is engaged with the second-side cover component 21A.The upper part of the impeller cover 20 is a ceiling cover 22. Theceiling cover 22 can be removed by means of rotating cramp-type screws23, 23 (FIGS. 2 and 3), which are put at the front and rear positions ofthe impeller cover 20.

[0018] Based on FIG. 4, arranging and combining the side linercomponents are now explained. The first-side liner component 31 isscrewed by screws 32, 32 and nuts that are positioned at fourup-and-down positions (as in FIG. 2) on the inner surface of thefirst-side cover component 21 (FIG. 1). The first-side liner component31 is shaped like a trapezoid. It has an opening at the center throughwhich the first- and second-side liner plates 5, 5A can pass. Thesecond-side liner component 31A is screwed through a horseshoe-likespacer 33 by screws 32A, 32A and nuts on four up-and-down positions (asin FIG. 3) on the inner surface of the second-side cover component 21A.The horseshoe-like spacer 33 is used to adjust the distance between thesecond-side cover component 21A and the second-side liner component 31A.The second-side liner component 31A is shaped as a trapezoid and has anopening at the center through which the second-side impeller plate 5Acan pass.

[0019] At the front and rear sides of the first- and second-side linercomponents 31, 31A (the left and right sides in FIGS. 2 and 3), thefront- and rear-side liner components 34, 34A are located on the front-and rear-side cover components 20A, 20A of the impeller cover 20. Thefront- and rear-side liner components 34, 34A are U-shaped, like a raingutter, and inclined (FIG. 4).

[0020] The front and rear-side liner components 34, 34A can be removedfrom the front- and rear-side cover components 20A, 20A. The front- andrear-side liner components 34, 34A are pressed against the front- andrear-side cover components 20A, 20A by means of pressing bolts 36, 36Alocated on brackets 35, 35A, and are fixed on them. Thus, when shots arejammed between threads of the bolts 36, 36A, those bolts are replaced bynew ones or repaired after they are removed from the front- andrear-side cover components 20A, 20A.

[0021] The frame-liner component 37 engages the upper ends of the firstand second-side liner components 31, 31A and the front and rear-sideliner components 34, 34A. The frame-liner component 37 is shaped as aloop to form an opening through which the upper ends of the first andsecond-side liner components 31, 31A and the front and rear-side linercomponents 34, 34A pass. A ceiling-side liner component 39 is located onthe frame-liner component 37. The ceiling-side liner component 39 has alooped projection 38 at its lower surface. The looped projection 38 isinserted into a looped and U-shaped groove that is defined by the upperends of the side liner components 31, 31A, 34, 34A and the frame-linercomponent 37.

[0022] A labyrinthine structure is formed at the connecting part betweenthe ceiling-side liner component 39 and the first- and second-side linercomponents 31, 31A. The labyrinthine structure has four parts bent inthe direction of the projection of shots

[0023] The ceiling-side liner component 39 is pressed down by hook-likemembers 24, 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The members are located at the front andrear positions of the upper ends of the impeller cover 20.Alternatively, instead of the hook-like members 24, 24, the ceiling-sideliner component 39 may be pressed by bolts that pass through the ceilingcover 22.

[0024] Next, how some of the liner components are exchanged isexplained. When the ceiling-side liner component 39, which tends to berelatively easily abraded, is exchanged, the rotating cramp-type screws23, 23 (FIGS. 2 and 3) are loosened and dislocated, and then the ceilingcover 22 is removed. Then, the hook-like members 24, 24 are rotated toextend beyond the ceiling-side liner component 39. Then, the component39 is taken out from the opening of the impeller cover 20. A new linercomponent is put in place of the component 39.

[0025] When the front- and rear-side liner components 34, 34A areexchanged, first, the above operations are carried out until theceiling-side liner component 39 is removed. Then, the frame-linercomponent 37 is manually taken out. Then, one of the bolts 36, 36A thatscrews the abraded liner component is loosened so that the abraded sideliner component can be pulled up in the same direction that it isinclined. In place of the liner component a new one is put in.

[0026] When the first and second-side liner components 31, 31A, whichare relatively slowly abraded, are exchanged, first, the aboveoperations are carried out until the front- and rear-side linercomponents are removed. Then, the cramping member 11 is removed so thatboth the control gage 8 and the distributor 7 can be pulled toward theside where the nozzle 10 is located. Then, the impeller blades 6, 6 arepressed toward the central opening at the space between theimpeller-side plates 5, 5A, and are pulled out toward the side where thenozzle 10 is located, as in the case of the control gage 8.

[0027] Then, the screws 32A, 32A, which screw the second-side covercomponent 21A, the spacer 33, which is shaped as a horseshoe, and thesecond-side liner component 31A, are loosened and pulled out. Then, thehorseshoe-shaped spacer 33 is pulled up, and the second-side linercomponent 31A is slightly moved to the nozzle 10, so as to allow thesecond impeller-side plate 5A to pass through the opening, in relationto it, of the second-side liner component 31A. Then, the second-sideliner component 31A is moved up and taken out of the upper opening ofthe impeller cover 20.

[0028] Then, the screws 32, 32, which screw the first-side covercomponent 21, and the first-side liner component 31, are loosened andpulled out. Then, the first-side liner component 31 is moved to allowthe first and second impeller-side plates 5, 5A to pass through theopening, in relation to it. Then, as in the case of the second-sideliner component 31A, the first-side liner component 31 is moved up to betaken out of the upper opening of the impeller cover 20. The first andsecond-side liner components 31, 31A are replaced by new linercomponents.

[0029] As in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the ceiling-side liner component 39 isconnected to the upper ends of the side liner components 31, 31A, 34,and 34A by the pressing members (hook-like members 24, 24) pressing theceiling-side liner component 39, so that the ceiling-side linercomponent 39 is fixed on the upper ends. Also, at the connecting partbetween the ceiling-side liner component 39 and the first andsecond-side liner components 31, 31A, a labyrinthine structure that hasat least four portions bent in the direction of the projection of theshots is located, so that shots can definitely be prevented fromprojecting through the connecting part.

[0030] Also, the first and second-side liner components 31, 31A areconnected to the front and rear-side liner components 34, 34A bypressing the front and rear-side liner components 34, 34A against thefirst- and second-side liner components 31, 31A using the pressing bolts36, 36A, so that the first- and second-side liner components 31, 31A arefixed on the front- and rear-side liner components 34. Thus, shots candefinitely be prevented from being projected through the connecting partbetween the first- and second-side liner components 31, 31A and thefront- and rear-side liner components 34, 34A. Also, it can be assuredthat the impeller cover is prevented from being abraded.

[0031] This invention allows liner components to be pressed against andfixed on an impeller cover. Thus, exchanging liner components for newones is easy. Also, the connecting portions are closely fitted. Thus,shots can be prevented from being projected through the connectingportions. Also, the impeller cover can be prevented from being abraded.

1. A centrifugal projecting apparatus comprising an impeller R, animpeller cover 20 surrounding the impeller R, and a liner that islocated within the impeller cover 20, characterized in that saidimpeller cover 20 comprises the first- and second-side cover components21, 21A located at right and left sides, front and rear cover components20A, 20A, and a ceiling cover component 22, which can be opened andclosed, said liner is engaged by screws 32, 32A to the impeller cover20, so that the liner can be disengaged from the impeller cover 20, saidliner comprising first- and second-side liner components 31, 31A havingopenings through which a rotating shaft of the impeller R can pass,front- and rear-side liner components 34, 34A that are U-shaped and thatare pressed against and fixed on the ends of the first- and second-sideliner components 31, 31A, and liner components 37, 39 that are pressedagainst and fixed on the upper ends of the first- and second-side linercomponents 31, 31A and the front- and rear-side liner components 34,34A.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liner components 37, 39are pressed against and fixed on the upper ends of the first- andsecond-side liner components 31, 31A and the front- and rear-side linercomponents 34, 34A by means of a fixing member that provides a pressingforce that is located on the impeller cover
 20. 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said liner components are comprised of a frame-linercomponent 37 that is engaged with the upper ends of the first- andsecond-side liner components 31, 31A and the front- and rear-side linercomponents 34, 34A and a ceiling-side liner component 39 that can beengaged with and disengaged from the frame-liner component 37, andwherein a labyrinthine structure is located at the contacting surfacesof the ceiling-side liner component 39 and the first- and second-sideliner components 34, 34A, said labyrinthine structure having fourportions bent in the direction of the projection of the projectingmembers.
 4. A centrifugal projecting apparatus having an impeller R inwhich a hub 4, impeller-side plates 5, 5A, impeller blades 6, and adistributor 7 are rotatably are located on a rotating shaft, an impellercover 20 surrounding the impeller R, and a liner located within theimpeller cover 20, characterized in that said impeller cover comprisesat least first and second cover components 21, 21A located at right andleft sides, front and rear cover components 20A, 20A, and a ceilingcover component 22 that can be opened and closed, said liner componentsare engaged by screws 32, 32A with the impeller cover 20 and disengagedfrom it, said liner components comprising first- and second-side linercomponents 31, 31A having openings through which the rotating shaft ofthe impeller R and the impeller side plates 5, 5A can pass, front andrear-side liner components 34, 34A that are U-shaped and that arepressed against and fixed on the ends of the first- and second-sideliner components 31, 31A, a frame-liner component 37, which is engagedwith the upper ends of the first and second-side liner components 31,31A and the front- and rear-side liner components 34, 34A, and aceiling-side liner component 39, which is engaged with and disengagedfrom the frame-liner component 37, a labyrinthine structure is locatedat the contacting surfaces of the ceiling-side liner component 39 andthe first and second-side liner components 34, 34A, said labyrinthinestructure having four portions bent in the direction of the projectionof projecting members, and a fixing member is located on the impellercover 20 to press and fix said ceiling-side liner 39 against and on theimpeller cover
 20. 5. A centrifugal projecting apparatus having animpeller cover 20 surrounding front, rear, left, right, and ceilingsides of an impeller R, first- and second-side liner components 31, 31Ato protect the left and right sides of the impeller cover 20, front- andrear-side liner components 34, 34A to protect the front and rear sidesof the impeller cover 20, a ceiling-side liner component 39 to protectthe ceiling side of the impeller cover 20, and a frame-liner component37, characterized in that said impeller cover 20 comprises first- andsecond-side cover components 21, 21A having openings at the left andright sides, plate-like front- and rear-side cover components 20A, 20Aat the front and rear sides, and a ceiling -side cover component 22 thatcan be opened and closed at the upper side, said impeller cover 20 beinggenerally shaped like a box formed as a trapezoid, said first andsecond-side liner components 31, 31A are generally shaped liketrapezoids and have openings at the center through which first- andsecond-side impeller plates 5, 5A pass, said first- and second-sideliner components being fixed on the impeller cover 20 by screws, saidfront- and rear-side liner components 34, 34A are formed as rain guttersthat are U-shaped and inclined and are pressed against and fixed on theright and left ends of the first- and second-side liner components 31,31A by bolts 36, 36A that are passed through the front and rear-sidecover components 20A, 20A of the impeller cover 20, a labyrinthinestructure is located at the connecting surfaces between the ceiling-sideliner component 39 and the first and second-side liner components 34,34A, said labyrinthine structure comprising four portions bent in thedirection of the projection of the projecting members, said frame-linercomponent 37 is shaped as a loop that comprises a vertical plate todefine an opening through which the upper ends of the liner components31, 31A, 34, 34A that are engaged with, pressed against, and fixed onthe impeller cover 20 pass, so that the frame-liner component is engagedwith these upper ends, and said ceiling-side liner component 39 has alooped-projection 38 formed along the periphery on the lower surface ofit, said looped-projection being inserted into a U-shaped groove definedby the upper ends of the side liner components 31, 31A, 34, 34A and thevertical plate of the frame-liner component 37, said ceiling-side linercomponent 39 being pressed down by a fixing member that is located onthe impeller cover 20 so that it is fixed on the frame-liner component37.
 6. The apparatus of either claim 4 or 5 wherein the angle betweeneach of the front- and rear-side liner components 34, 34A and theceiling-side liner component is about 50 degrees to 80 degrees.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein the second-side liner component 31 a isscrewed to the impeller cover 20 through a spacer 33 that is shaped as ahorseshoe so as to adjust the distance between them.
 8. The apparatus ofeither claim 4 or 5 wherein the ceiling-side liner component 39 ispressed against and fixed on the frame-liner component 37 by hookmembers 24, 24 that are located on the upper ends of the right and leftsides of the impeller cover
 20. 9. The apparatus of any of claims 4 to 7wherein the bolts 36, 36A are positioned by brackets 35, 35A that areremovable from the front- and rear-side cover components 20 a, 20A.